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August 21, 2008

Cycling Classic to Benefit the Ann Arbor Public Schools

by Sam Savage

Priority Health has added the Ann Arbor Breakaway VIP Club to the First Annual Priority Health Ann Arbor Cycling Classic scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 7. Breakaway VIP Club tickets, priced at $25, will grant access to an exclusive viewing area on the roof of Palio Restaurant (corner of Main and Williams streets) above the Classic's start/finish lines. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Ann Arbor Public School's physical and wellness education programs. In addition to a spectacular view of the race, the Breakaway Club will enjoy a buffet, soft drinks and the opportunity to win great prizes.

"Health and wellness are at the core of Priority Health's mission," said Kim Horn, president and CEO of Priority Health. "Creating a benefit for the Ann Arbor Public Schools was a natural next step. This has the potential to impact the health of students and the community."

Breakaway VIP Club tickets can be purchased online at priorityhealthclassic.com. Tickets will also be available on Sunday, Sept. 7, from 10 a.m. to noon (cash sales only) at Palio's Restaurant, 347 S. Main Street, downtown Ann Arbor. Priority Health is matching all ticket sales, doubling the value of the donation to Ann Arbor Public Schools.

"The Ann Arbor Public Schools Project Healthy Schools initiative has made great strides in ensuring that healthy snacks, lunchroom menus and in-school and extracurricular fitness options are available to students," said Todd Roberts, Ed.D., superintendent for Ann Arbor Public Schools. "As a result, support from Priority Health will touch all students. On behalf of the Ann Arbor Public Schools, we applaud Priority Health for their involvement and concern for our students' health."

Described as the intensity of Tour de France meeting the excitement of NASCAR, the Priority Health Classic will run from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and feature races attracting some of the best professional and amateur cyclists from across the nation. Cyclists will compete on a 1.35-kilometer circuit around downtown Ann Arbor for a prize purse totaling $30,000. Volunteers and cyclists are encouraged to sign up for the Priority Health Ann Arbor Cycling Classic by visiting priorityhealthclassic.com.

About Priority Health

Priority Health is a nationally recognized health plan company based in Michigan. It serves a half-million members with a broad portfolio of products including commercial and government health plans. A nonprofit dedicated to providing all people access to affordable health care, Priority Health is Michigan's top-rated health plan and ranks 11th in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report and the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Priority Health employs 1,000 people throughout Michigan's Lower Peninsula with offices in Grand Rapids, Farmington Hills, Holland, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Saginaw and Traverse City. For more information about Priority Health, visit priorityhealth.com.

About Saint Joseph Mercy Health System

Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, a member of Trinity Health, is a health care organization serving Washtenaw, Livingston, Jackson, Lenawee, Monroe, western Wayne and southwestern Oakland counties. It includes 537-bed St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, St. Joseph Mercy Saline Hospital with 74 beds, St. Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital in Howell with 136 beds and St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia with 304 beds. Combined the four hospitals are licensed for 1,051 beds, employ more than 8,400 individuals and have a medical staff of nearly 1,500 physicians. For more information on health services offered at Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, please visit sjmercyhealth.org.